As AI-generated music floods streaming platforms, questions bubble over whether listeners are owed more transparency.

A survey published last week suggested 97% of respondents could not spot an AI-generated song. But there are some telltale signs - if you know where to look.

Here’s a quick guide …

  • No live performances or social media presence

  • ‘A mashup of rock hits in a blender’

A song with a formulaic feel - sweet but without much substance or emotional weight - can be a sign of AI, says the musician and technology speaker, as well as vocals that feel breathless.

  • ‘AI hasn’t felt heartbreak yet’

“AI hasn’t felt heartbreak yet… It knows patterns,” he explains. “What makes music human is not just sound but the stories behind it.”

  • Steps toward transparency

In January, the streaming platform Deezer launched an AI detection tool, followed this summer by a system which tags AI-generated music.